Chapter 8 - Falling Dominoes
The collapse of Blackwood Holdings happened with terrifying speed.
Within twenty-four hours of my meeting with Julian Blackwood, news broke on Wall Street that the firm was facing immediate mortgage foreclosures. Stock prices plummeted by 70% in a matter of hours. Board members panicked, dumping shares and resigning en masse.
By Thursday afternoon, federal regulators descended upon Blackwood Tower, seizing servers, financial documents, and hard drives based on the evidence my legal team had provided.
Julian Blackwood was forced to resign in disgrace, his personal fortune wiped out as the Consortium executed the asset takeover.
Meanwhile, inside the county jail, Daniel was watching it all unfold on the small communal television in the recreation yard.
I decided to pay him a visit.
Sitting behind the thick glass partition in the visitor room, I waited as the heavy metal door opened. Daniel was led in by two guards. He looked horrific. His expensive hair was unwashed, he wore an oversized orange jumpsuit, and the arrogant, charming smirk that had fooled me for two years was completely gone.
He sat down heavily, picking up the plastic telephone receiver with shaking hands.
I picked up mine.
“Emily...” Daniel whimpered, his voice raspy through the speaker. “Please... please tell me you’re here to help me. I’m dying in here. The guys in here... they know who I am. They laugh at me.”
“I’m not here to help you, Daniel,” I said, my voice smooth and unemotional. “I just wanted you to see my face one last time before you get transferred to state prison.”
Daniel slammed his hand against the glass. “It was Blackwood! He made me do it, Emily! He promised me fifty million dollars if I got him the Vance Global server files! I didn't want to hurt you!”
“You mocked me to your mistress,” I reminded him coldly. “You called me a ghost. You planned to strip my father’s life work away and throw me aside like garbage after six months of marriage.”
Daniel broke down, weeping pathetically into his hands. “I’m sorry! I was stupid! I was greedy! Please, Emily, don't let them send me away! I’ll do anything! I’ll testify against Blackwood! I’ll give you everything!”
“You don't have anything left to give, Daniel,” I told him. “Your firm is bankrupt. Your assets are seized. Your mistress is facing five years for burglary, and her lawyers just submitted a plea deal testifying that you instructed her to cut my dress to delay the ceremony.”
Daniel froze, staring at me in terror. “Vanessa... she turned on me?”
“Honor among thieves doesn't exist, Daniel,” I said softly. “You used her, she used you, and in the end, you destroyed each other.”
I hung up the phone receiver, placing it back on the wall hook.
May you like
Daniel beat his fists against the glass, screaming soundlessly as the guards grabbed his arms and dragged him backward through the heavy metal door.
I didn't watch him leave. I stood up, adjusted my jacket, and walked out into the bright afternoon sun.
